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14th March 2008Dave Harris

Dave Harris, former coach and chairman at the Hastings West Hill ABC staged a dinner show at the Masonic Hall, St Leonards on Sea in order to raise funds for local charities.

Dave has selflessly been raising funds since 1968 when he broke the World boxing endurance record, a sponsored event that ensured the doors of our beloved boxing club remained open.

Last year boxers organised parking for an event Dave organised called "One Voice", a concert in Hastings that proved to be such a success that by the time all the bills were paid, the St Michael's Hospice charity was around £2,000 better off.

Most recently as reported in the Hastings Observer homeless charity Xtrax have honoured Dave Harris as their lifetime president, following his retirement.

Mr M.C. Dave was one of the founder members of the charity, based on Havelock Road, and past chairman.

He now leaves Xtrax in the safe hands of new chairman Gary Dyer, project manager Andrew Batsford and a team of trustees.

New chairman Gary said: "Dave stepping down as chairman after 15 years involvement, truly is, the end of an era, Dave truly does deserve peace in his retirement."

Clive Jackson from the charity said: "It is an honour so richly deserved, his lifetime commitment to the youth of Hastings and Rother is without equal.

"Xtrax would not have existed without Dave's vision and his ability to make the dream a viable proposition.

"Dave campaigned fearlessly for the rights of young people's voices to be heard at a time when deprivation, suicide and adolescent pregnancies were at an all time high.

Jake Towse got the show off to a flying start"Other organisations came from all over the country to see this project that was years in advance of its time. Margaret Beckett spoke at some length of Xtrax in a parliamentary speech stating that Xtrax was the flagship that other towns should follow.

"Thanks to Dave's courage and determination, the young people of Hastings and Rother have a centre whose unique way of working was years ahead of its time; with support, warmth and good food and a caring friend to give the young people help with their problems, whatever they might be."

It is the club's honour to support Dave's efforts and Dave Bishop's superb matchmaking for which he was highly commended by the ABA officials ensured a fantastic evenings entertainment. As on all shows in Sussex, success can only be secured by the attendance and officiating of Eddie Bryant, still recovering from a replacement hip operation, and his Sussex ABA colleagues to whom we send our thanks.

Thanks go to Mat for filming the show and Lee for taking photos. We would further like to thank all those who assisted in any small way with organisation, from placing posters in shop windows to helping with the ring set up, there are far too many to mention but you know who you are!

Shayne McGuiganA special thank you goes to Barry McGuigan, an excellent ambassador for the sport, for his accommodating attitude in helping to raise funds, and his son Shane for being part of the main event. Their attendance and efforts ensured additional funds were raised.

Final words of thanks must go to all the boxers and coaches who attended and the clubs they represent, those being:-

  • The Royal Navy Boxing Team
  • Bromley & Downham ABC - Kent
  • Danson Youth ABC - London
  • Crawley ABC - West Sussex
  • Aylesham ABC - Kent
  • Ramsgate ABC - Kent
  • Snodland ABC - Kent
  • The Grange ABC - Kent

Boxers who would like a video of their bout please detail your name and bout number in an email to mat@outlinepictures.co.uk or call Mat on his mobile which is 07960454947

Show Report

G. Jupp Bromley & Downham ABC
Jake Towse Hastings Westhill ABC

A very close all action contest that saw Jake take a majority decision in his first bout over 4 x 2 minute rounds against an older and more experienced opponent. A great bout to start the evening.
Y. Javed Danson Youth ABC
Ben White Hastings Westhill ABC

A superb unanimous points victory for Ben avenging a previous stoppage loss. A very crowd pleasing bout.
J. Conciano Frivole Crawley ABC
Dennis Buchanan Hastings Westhill ABC
A battle between two talented stylist with Dennis emerging victorious over 4 X 2 min rounds by a unanimous points decision. Dave Harris was impressed with Dennis' continued improvement and expects great things from him in the future.
W. Foster Ramsgate ABC
Kellen Leimetter Hastings Westhill ABC
Kellen boxed well against W. Foster of Ramsgate ABC and for many of us he had done enough to secure his first victory. It wasn't to be however as Foster won by a unanimous points decision.
M. Urhegy Royal Navy Boxing Team
S.McGuigan Aylesham ABC
The main bout of the evening certainly lived up to expectation, what a cracker. Urhegy was victorious by a unanimous points decision but he had to work incredibly hard for his victory and there is no doubt both boxers are destined for great things. McGuigan losing for the first time was a gentlemen in defeat and will no doubt improve for the experience.
L. Nazaripoul Royal Navy Boxing Team
S. Beadle Snodland ABC
Nazaripoul was victorious stopping Beadle in the 2nd round, however many ringside questioned that the stoppage may have been a premature, a rematch would answer any remaining questions.
A. Neunie Crawley ABC
L. Pritchard The Grange ABC
Pritchard boxed very well over all 4 rounds to secure a unanimous victory against a very strong capable opponent.
   
S. James Ramsgate ABC
Barry Buchanan Hastings Westhill ABC
Barry won by a hard fought majority decision over 4 rounds against S. James, a bull of a man who doesn't stop coming forward, avenging a recent loss to the same opponent when a deep cut over his left eye sustained in the 1st round meant Barry had to retire.
M. McKiernan Danson Youth ABC
Adam Haniver Hastings Westhill ABC
Although Adam had his opponent hurt in both the 1st and 4th round of his contest he was unable to stop McKiernan from securing a unanimous points victory with some very slick boxing. These two boxers ensured the evening ended in style.
 
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